Trader in Trinidad - 7 July 2006
Well, it has been an interesting week!
We berthed in Trinidad last Sunday and carried out a cool down of the cargo tanks. As the cargo is carried at around –160 °c, we have to cool the tanks slowly to prevent thermal shock when we commence loading.
Once cool down was complete we loaded a full cargo and prepared to depart, headed for Cove Point, USA. A couple of hours before departure we received a change of orders and were told to take the cargo to The Thames in the UK.
Everything was changed. We planned a new passage, checked the charts and finished all the paperwork for a call to the UK. There was some excitement onboard at the news, as this would have been Trader’s first visit to the UK.
So we set to during the week, arranging all the things we would need once we arrived, such as stores, food and reliefs.
Come Saturday a decision was taken to discharge the cargo in Cove Point after all. So we turned round in mid Atlantic and are now headed for the USA at full speed.
Such is the nature of the trade we work the ship in. Decisions can and are made at the last minute so it keeps us on our toes.
So now we are busy re arranging everything for the US. I just hope the reliefs are OK as one of them is mine!
I’ll update you once we clear the US and are headed to our next destination.
Best Regards
Captain Dave Pegg
British Trader